Directional antenna with signal strength feedback and methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems and methods for improving the quality and strength of a wireless signal connecting a mobile station and a base station, in situations where the mobile station is able to utilize a directional antenna. The system for improving system quality comprise, for example, a directional antenna; an antenna power level detector which detects a signal strength; a signal inverter wherein the signal inverter generates a conditioned signal from the detected signal strength; an indicator wherein the indicator provides an indicator of a signal quality level from the detected signal strength; a reorientation decision logic wherein the reorientation decision logic communicates an instruction for movement of the directional antenna, wherein the detected signal strength is correlated to a projected orientation of the directional antenna at a time the signal strength is detected, and further wherein an antenna orientation control loop communicates a reorientation instruction for the directional antenna.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/385,194, filed Dec. 20, 2016, entitled DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA WITHSIGNAL STRENGTH FEEDBACK AND METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/271,208, filed Dec. 22, 2015, entitledDIRECTIONAL ANTENNA WITH SIGNAL STRENGTH FEEDBACK AND METHODS, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.See, for example, US 2006/0044112 A1 published Mar. 2, 2006, toBridgelall for Wearable RFID Reader and System; US 2007/0253395 A1published Nov. 1, 2007, to Graves for Wireless Network Detector; US2007/0275664 A1 published Nov. 29, 2007, to Uhl for Method and Systemfor Improving Wireless Link Performance; U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,646 Aissued Jan. 25, 2000, to Myllymaki et al. for Power Consumption Monitorand Alarm for a Mobile Means of Communication; U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,083B1 issued Apr. 1, 2003, to Richley et al. for Electronic Tag PositionDetection Using Radio Broadcast; U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,696 B2 issued Aug.26, 2003 to Chedester et al. for Method and Apparatus for Aligning theAntennas of a Millimeter Wave Communication Link Using a Narrow BandOscillator and a Power Detector; U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,980 B1 issued Feb.28, 2006, to Schmidt for Personal Rescue System; U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,887B1 issued Apr. 13, 2010, to Echavarria, for Personal Tracking andCommunication System; U.S. Pat. No. 7,764,171 B2 issued Jul. 27, 2010,to Cheng et al. for Adjusting a Communications Channel Between ControlUnit and Remote Sensor; U.S. Pat. No. 8,519,906 B2 issued Aug. 27, 2013,to Richards et al. for Locating System; U.S. Pat. No. 8,892,049 B2issued Nov. 18, 2014 to Rosenblatt et al. for Handheld ElectronicDevices with Antenna Power Monitoring; U.S. Pat. No. 8,909,190 B2 issuedDec. 9, 2014, to Carson for Portable Wireless Compatibility Detection,Location and Communication Device; U.S. Pat. No. 8,947,528 B2 issuedFeb. 3, 2015, to Hinman et al. for Container ClassificationIdentification Using Directional-Antenna RFID; U.S. Pat. No. 9,000,887B2 issued Apr. 7, 2015 to Linsky et al. for Method and Apparatus forCommunicating Control Information by a Wearable Device to Control Mobileand Consumer Electronic Devices; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,024,729 B2 issuedMay 5, 2015 to Ratajczyk for Tactile and Visual Alert Device Triggeredby Received Wireless Signals.

BACKGROUND

In many modern communication systems, a directional antenna from amobile station aimed directly at a base station provides the highestquality signal, which directly relates to the data rate which can beachieved. The antenna gives the wireless system three fundamentalproperties: gain (measure of an increase in power, typically expressedas dB), direction (the shape of the transmission pattern), andpolarization. As the gain of a directional antenna increases the angleof radiation usually decreases. This can provide greater coveragedistance, but with a reduced coverage angle. The changes in gain,direction and polarization also impact the strength of the signal.Because directional antennas focus RF energy in a particular direction,as the gain of a directional antenna increases, the coverage distanceincreases but the effective coverage angle decreases.

To point a directional antenna in the absence of prior knowledge of thelocation/direction of the other end of the radio link requires using ameasuring receiver circuit to measure incident signal strength from thedesired transmitter. By using active power control, software on thecellular base station attempts to ensure that all the incoming signalsfrom the mobile stations are at approximately the same strength. This isachieved by the base station measuring each received signal andimplementing a control loop that sends power control instructions to themobile station to transmit more or less power. This control loop isupdated continuously during a connection.

A key impediment to achieving an optimal signal for maximum data rate isthat there is no direct way to determine the position of the basestation relative to the mobile station and hence an optimal alignment ofthe directional antenna for achieving optimal signal quality and highestdata throughput. Instructions to the mobile station to transmit more orless power may not achieve an optimal received signal. What is needed isa system and device for exploiting an existing mechanism of modernwireless communication systems which observes a current signal strengthand can then reorient the direction antenna, noting the inferred signalstrength at each successive orientation, until a satisfactory signalstrength is achieved.

SUMMARY

By exploiting a mechanism of modern wireless communication systems,namely active power control, the disclosed system can operateindependent of any radio attached to an antenna and infer and thencommunicate an antenna alignment to either a human operator or anautomated control system. The operator or automated control system,observing the current signal strength can then reorient the direction ofthe antenna, noting the inferred signal strength at each successiveorientation, until a satisfactory signal strength is achieved.Reorienting the antenna can occur by changing at least one of a pitch,yaw or roll of, for example, a joint associated with the antenna, andthus a position of the antenna.

Disclosed are systems for improving the quality and strength of awireless signal connecting a mobile station and a base station, insituations where the mobile station is able to utilize a directionalantenna. Antennas are external.

Systems are configurable to use an indirect method to measure alignmentof a directional antenna to a base station. This alignment measure canbe used for manually, automatically or semi-automatically realigning thedirectional antenna to an orientation which provides an increased signalreception by the base station. Systems are configurable to utilize anaspect of the existing signal power feedback loop employed in many modemwireless communication systems.

An antenna power feedback loop can also be provided as part of a closedcontrol system formed by a mobile station antenna and a base station. Toensure incident signals arriving on the base station antenna have asimilar or equal signal strength, the base station sends feedback tosignaling devices on the strength of signal received. The power levelscan vary widely when the control look is struggling. However, undernormal operation the base station will typically keep all the handsetswithin 2 dB or so of the same power level as measured at the basestation antenna. A user can rotate the directional antenna. When theantenna is pointed at the base station, the base station willcommunicate with the attached radio to turn the power down. Asdisclosed, a visual indicator (such as LED lights) can be activated toprovide the user with feedback to reflect the power change. Suitablesignals would be any signal that operates under, for example, theCDMA2000 or 3GPP standards. In at least some configurations, the powercontrol loop updates every 200 ms (+/−5-50 ms) so that the user receivedfeedback very quickly.

A specific feedback signal from the base station to the mobile stationmay not be directly discernable. The system, is configurable to utilizea method to indirectly infer the nature of the alignment of the antennato the base station.

While the feedback from the base station may not be directly determinedin at least some configurations, the resulting power supplied to theexternal directional antenna can be measured. The disclosed systemprovides power to an external directional antenna connected to a mobilestation which can be measured as an indicator of antenna alignment.

Once the antenna power is measured, the signal corresponding to powerlevel can be conditioned in such a way that a manual operator can see,hear or feel an indication for the power level corresponds to an antennaorientation. In this way, by seeing direct sensory feedback from anyantenna orientation, a manual operator can physically move the antennathrough one or more degrees of freedom until the operator is satisfiedwith an orientation producing a suitable power level.

Just as a manual operator can note the power level and adjustorientation, so too could an automation module which could receive aconditioned signal and via an algorithm driving actuators automaticallymove the antenna through a pre-designed search algorithm to arrive at apower level which meets a previously defined criteria.

An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a system for improving signalquality. The system for improving system quality comprises: adirectional antenna; an antenna power level detector which detects asignal strength; a signal inverter wherein the signal inverter generatesa conditioned signal from the detected signal strength; an indicatorwherein the indicator provides an indicator of a signal quality levelfrom the detected signal strength; a reorientation decision logicwherein the reorientation decision logic communicates an instruction formovement of the directional antenna, wherein the detected signalstrength is correlated to a projected orientation of the directionalantenna at a time the signal strength is detected, and further whereinan antenna orientation control loop communicates a reorientationinstruction for the directional antenna. The system can also include anautomatic actuator subsystem to realign an orientation of thedirectional antenna. The automatic actuator subsystem can operateautomatically or semiautomatically. Additionally, the reorientationinstruction can be implemented by an automatic actuator subsystem. Insome configurations, drive actuators are provided which are configuredto reorient the directional antenna as part of a closed loop. One ormore reorientation instructions can be provided which are communicatedfor the directional antenna until the detected signal strength reaches athreshold value. The system can also be configured to connect to amobile computing device. Instructions for movement of the directionalantenna can also be provided to a user.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a system for improvingsignal quality when used in a cellular transmit power control loopcontrolled by a cellular base station, Systems comprise: a directionalantenna connected to a desktop cellular router as an external antenna;an antenna power level detector which detects a signal strength; asignal inverter wherein the signal inverter generates a conditionedsignal from the detected signal strength; an LED indicator furthercomprising a series of parallel LED bars externally visible to indicatesignal quality level an indicator wherein the LED indicator provides anindication of a signal quality level from the detected signal strength;a reorientation decision logic wherein the reorientation decision logiccommunicates an instruction for movement of the directional antenna,wherein the detected signal strength is correlated to a projectedorientation of the directional antenna at a time the signal strength isdetected, and further wherein an antenna orientation control loopcommunicates a reorientation instruction for the directional antenna.Additionally, an automatic actuator subsystem to realign an orientationof the directional antenna. The reorientation instruction is implementedby an automatic actuator subsystem either automatically orsemiautomatically. Drive actuators can be provided which are configuredto reorient the directional antenna as part of a closed loop.Additionally, the one or more reorientation instructions arecommunicated for the directional antenna until the detected signalstrength reaches a threshold value. Additionally, the system isconfigurable to be connected to a mobile computing device. In someconfigurations instruction for movement of the directional antenna canbe provided to a user.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method forimproving signal quality of a directional antenna when used in atransmit power control loop. The method can comprise: detecting ansignal strength from a directional antenna; inverting the detectedsignal via a signal inverter wherein the signal inverter; generating aconditioned signal from the detected signal strength; indicating asignal quality level from the detected signal strength; communicating areorientation decision from a reorientation decision logic for movementof the directional antenna, wherein the detected signal strength iscorrelated to a projected orientation of the directional antenna at atime the signal strength is detected, and further wherein an antennaorientation control loop communicates a reorientation instruction forthe directional antenna. In some configurations, the method furthercomprises automatically realigning an orientation of the directionalantenna via an actuator subsystem. Additionally, the steps of detecting,inverting, generating, indicating and communicating are repeated, e.g.in a loop, until the detected signal strength reaches a threshold value.Additionally, the method can comprise the step of connecting the systemto a mobile computing device. In some configurations, the methodincludes instructing a user to move the directional antenna.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a system forimproving signal quality when used in a transmit power control loop. Thesystem comprises: a directional antenna means; an antenna power leveldetector means which detects a signal strength; a signal inverter meanswherein the signal inverter means generates a conditioned signal fromthe detected signal strength; an indicator means wherein the indicatormeans provides an indicator of a signal quality level from the detectedsignal strength; a reorientation decision logic means wherein thereorientation decision logic means communicates an instruction formovement of the directional antenna means, wherein the detected signalstrength is correlated to a projected orientation of the directionalantenna means at a time the signal strength is detected, and furtherwherein an antenna orientation control loop communicates a reorientationinstruction for the directional antenna. In some configurations, thesystem includes an automatic actuator subsystem means to realign anorientation of the directional antenna means. Additionally, thereorientation instruction is implemented by an automatic actuatorsubsystem means. Drive actuators means can also be provided which areconfigured to reorient the directional antenna means as part of a closedloop. One or more reorientation instructions can be communicated for thedirectional antenna means until the detected signal strength reaches athreshold value. In some configurations, the system is connected to amobile computing device means. Instruction for movement of thedirectional antenna means can provided to a user.

Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a machine readablemedium containing instructions that, when executed by a computingdevice, cause the computing device to perform a method. The methodperformed by the machine readable medium comprises: detecting an signalstrength from a directional antenna; inverting the detected signal via asignal inverter wherein the signal inverter; generating a conditionedsignal from the detected signal strength; indicating a signal qualitylevel from the detected signal strength; communicating a reorientationdecision from a reorientation decision logic for movement of thedirectional antenna, wherein the detected signal strength is correlatedto a projected orientation of the directional antenna at a time thesignal strength is detected, and further wherein an antenna orientationcontrol loop communicates a reorientation instruction for thedirectional antenna. In some configurations, the method furthercomprises automatically realigning an orientation of the directionalantenna via an actuator subsystem. Additionally, the steps of detecting,inverting, generating, indicating and communicating are repeated, e.g.,in a loop, until the detected signal strength reaches a threshold value.Additionally, the system can be configured to connect the system to amobile computing device. In some configurations, instructions areprovided to a user to move the directional antenna.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are system-level block diagrams of manual andautomated antenna reorientation schemes;

FIG. 2 is sub-system level schematic of manual feedback and adjustmentconfiguration detailing a signal measurement and feedback system;

FIG. 3 is a sub-system level schematic of a configuration of a signalmeasurement and feedback system;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a functional schematic of signal conditioningsub-system;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a functional schematic of feedback indicationsub-system;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sequence diagram demonstrating manual feedbackand adjustment configuration in operation as an operator-antennareorientation loop;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a sub-system level schematic of automaticfeedback and adjustment configuration detailing signal measurement andfeedback system;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram demonstrating auto feedback and adjustmentconfiguration in operation as an operator-antenna reorientation loop;and

FIG. 9 is a sub-system level schematic of dual control system comprisingboth manual and automatic adjustment of directional antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the strength of areceived signal at a base station is influenced by numerous factorsincluding the conducted transmit power in the mobile station, which isset by instructions sent from the base station, and the antennaperformance. A directional antenna focuses radiates or receives greaterpower in specific directions, which allows for increased performance andreduced interference from unwanted sources. However, when a directionalantenna on a mobile station is pointed away from the base-station, thesignal received at the base station is lower than the signal would be ifthe directional antenna were pointed towards the base station. In thisscenario, current solutions provide that the power control loop on thebase station instructs the mobile station to increase its conductedtransmit power to result in an improved signal. If the directionalantenna is pointed at the base-station, there will be an increase in thesignal strength from the antenna at the base station, which will causingthe base station to instruct the mobile station to lower its transmitpower.

Referring now to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a high level block diagram of asystem 100 is provided. The diagram illustrates electronic andelectro-mechanical sub-systems of an exemplary signal alignmentmechanism, where a signal power from an external directional antennahaving a signal measurement and feedback system 130 is connected to amobile station 120. The signal is measured and relayed to a human(manual operator 140) or automatic module (auto orientation module 150)to reorient the directional antenna with an aim to improve signalquality received by a base station 110.

The high-level block diagram of FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary signalalignment mechanism, whereby the signal strength feedback from a basestation 110 is relayed to a manual operator 140 via a signal measurementand feedback system 130 connected to a mobile station 120. For example adesktop cellular router or cellular handset can be configured to be incommunication with an external directional antenna.

In the depicted configuration, an external communication tower, can beprovided which is located at an arbitrary geographic location which isunknown to the manual operator. The external communication tower, relaysone or more data packets to and from a plurality of mobile stations in apredefined scheme in accordance with a closed loop power controlconfiguration typical of many modem wireless communication systems.

The transmit power level provided to the antenna can be sensed by thesignal measurement and feedback system 130. The signal measurement andfeedback system 130 can further comprise multiple sub-systems. As shownin FIG. 1A, the signal measurement and feedback system 130 detects atransmit power level provided to the base station 110 from the mobilestation 120. This transmit power level is communicable to a humanoperator by any of a plurality of sensory mechanisms. The humanoperator, or manual operator 140, is then able to determine if thepresently received signal is satisfactory (i.e., has an adequatestrength) and if not, decide how to adjust the system 100 accordingly.

FIG. 1B demonstrates a similar configuration with a base station 110 ina closed transmit power control loop with the mobile station 120 via asignal measurement and feedback system 130. In this configuration, thesignal measurement and feedback system 130 is configurable to form asecondary closed loop with an auto orientation module 150 which isconfigurable to automate the role of the manual operator shown in FIG.1A, by electronically reacting to the received signal power level byimplementing any number of algorithms to adjust the communicationssystem accordingly.

Turning to FIG. 2, the base station 210 provides incident signal powerlevel feedback 210′ to the external directional antenna 232 of thesignal measurement and feedback system 230. An external directionalantenna 232, which is connectable electrically via a signal line cord toa mobile station 220, is configurable to function as an externaldirectional antenna. The external directional antenna 232 may be anysuitable directional antenna, and further may comprise a signal linecord engaged with a radiating element of the antenna which radiates orreceives greater power in a specific, configurable direction allowingfor increased performance and reduced interference from unwantedsources. Mechanically the radiating element of the antenna is fixable toan articulated joint which is able to move radially through one or moredegrees of freedom (pitch-yaw-roll). The other end of the antenna isable to move with freedom to point in any direction the articulatedjoint, and mechanical constraints, permit. The external directionalantenna 232 therefore functions as the antenna of the mobile station220, transmitting and receiving data signals 232′ to and from the basestation 210 to mobile station 220 and receiving updated power levelfeedback from base station 210 as part of a power control loop.

The incident signal power level feedback 210′ received by the externaldirectional antenna 232 is detected and processed by the signal detectand processing subsystem 234. Line input for the signal detect andprocessing subsystem 234 initiates from a detector component inproximity to and coupled with the external directional antenna 232. Oneconfiguration implements signal processing functionality via amicrocontroller having a set of predefined algorithms to implement eachprocessing module. After processing, a conditioned signal leads into thefeedback indication subsystem 236. In one configuration, antenna powerlevel detects signal strength via a directional coupler, which imparts asignal which can then be conditioned by way of inversion andnormalization, where required, into a form which can readily be used bysystems comprising at least one of feedback indication sub-system or anauto-orientation module.

A power supply 235 is provided. A power supply 235 includes, forexample, a battery or a lead from externally power supply provides DCpower into signal detect and processing subsystem 234 and feedbackindication subsystem 236.

The feedback indication subsystem 236 comprises any permutation ofvisual, auditory or electromechanical indicators which are configurableto provide an indication that represents the current suitability of theorientation of the external directional antenna 232, such thatindicators can, in some configurations, be sensed 236′ by a manualoperator 240. The feedback indication subsystem 236 is configurable toreceive a conditioned signal from signal detect and processing subsystem234, which engages an internal driver configured to drive one or moreindicators. Indicators may be any number of a plurality of sensoryindicators including visual displays, LEDs of varying illumination andcolor, auditory indicators, modes of vibration or otherelectro-mechanical indications, and may be implemented in someconfigurations via an external mobile device comprising one of a tablet,mobile phone, portable computer or other mobile device capable ofproviding suitable indication to a human operator. One configurationincludes a series of parallel light emitting diode (LED) ‘bars’calibrated to all light up at once when directional antenna alignment tobase station is strongest (that is, when base station instructs thedirectional antenna power signal to transmit at its weakest level).

The manual operator 240 is a human operator able to sense feedback 236′from the feedback indication subsystem 236 and also physically accesseither reorienting mechanism 238 or external directional antenna 232directly, to reorient provide input 240′ to the reorienting mechanism238 to reorient the external directional antenna 232 as desired. Themanual operator 240 judges power level from observations of indicatorsof the feedback indication subsystem 236 and adjusts directional antennaorientation with the aim of maximizing the indicator readings observedin the feedback indication subsystem 236.

Some configurations of the system are configurable to provide mechanicalassistance in providing additional turning force or accuracy, tophysically reorient the external directional antenna 232. If used, sucha reorienting mechanism 238 can be physically accessible to the manualoperator 240 who controls the mechanism, which in turn physically drivesone or more degrees of freedom in reorienting the external directionalantenna. The reorienting mechanism may comprise components includinggears, levers, hydraulics, pneumatics or other assistive facility toreorient directional antenna.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simple implementation of the signal measurement andfeedback system 330. Similar to the embodiment described with FIG. 2,signals from the external directional antenna 332 are transmitted 332′,e.g., by a hardwire connection, to the mobile station 320 and thenwirelessly transmitted to the base station 310, with power levelfeedback 310′ relayed back to the directional antenna in a power controlloop. In this configuration, the external directional antenna isdirectly manually adjustable through three degrees of movement by amanual operator 340.

The remaining subsystems disclosed in FIG. 2 are, in this configuration,implementable in a mobile computing device such as a tablet, smartphoneor mobile computing device 337. The mobile computing device 337 isconfigurable to receive as a line in the power level signal detected,from the external directional antenna 332, and then implements fullsignal conditioning functionality 334 as well as a customized feedbackindication 336 utilizing any permutation of the use of the native screendisplay, speaker, vibrator element or other output on the mobilecomputing device 337, in order to communicate the power level of theexternal directional antenna 332 to the manual operator 340.

Once the manual operator 340 observes the audio, visual or tactileresponse 336′ from the mobile computing device 337, the operator canthen directly alter the orientation 340′ of the external directionalantenna 332 manually by moving the antenna through a range of motion inorder to attempt to improve the indicated signal quality.

FIG. 4 discloses a functional schematic of the signal detect andprocessing subsystem 434. Antenna power detector 4342 can be physicallylocated close enough to the directional antenna 432 for directionalcoupling. The measured signal is fed into the signal inversion module4344. Multiple implementations exist to detect antenna power. Onemechanism of implementation is to use a directional coupler and powerdetector to measure the conducted power being fed to the directionalantenna 432.

The signal inversion module 4344 receives the signal from antenna powerdetector 4342, and provides line out or software output to linearizationmodule 4346. The module inverts the input signal from the antenna powerdetector 4342 such that stronger the incident signal, the lower thepower of the output signal fed to the linearization module 4346. Thesignal inversion module 4344 is an algorithm implementable as a hardwareor software module, either inside the device or running on an external,connected mobile computing device such as a portable tablet, computer orsmartphone.

In the event that the range of output from the inversion algorithm ofsignal inversion module is nonlinear then the linearization moduleimplements an algorithm to ensure the response is linearized andnormalized so that output signal driving feedback indicators can varylinearly. Where required, the linearization module 4346 receives asinput the signal from signal inversion module 4344, and provides lineout or software output to the feedback indication subsystem 436. Thelinearization module 4346 is an algorithm implementable as a hardware orsoftware module, either inside device or running on an external,connected mobile computing device such as a portable tablet, computer orsmartphone.

FIG. 5 details the components comprising a functional schematic of thefeedback indication subsystem 536. The system receives as input anormalized, linearized signal from the signal detect and processingsubsystem 534 wherein a driver and one or more indicator modules providefeedback 536′ to a manual operator 540.

The feedback indication driver receives signal from signal detect andprocessing subsystem 534, and provides hardware specific instructions todrive one or more visual indicator module 5364, auditory indicatormodule 5366 or electro-mechanical indicator module 5368 components. Eachline output of the feedback indication driver 5362 is specificallytailored to appropriately drive the particular hardware or softwarecomprising the respective feedback module. The feedback indicationdriver 5362 is an algorithm implementable as a hardware or softwaremodule, either inside device or running on an external, connected mobilecomputing device such as a portable tablet, computer or smartphone.

The visual indicator module 5364 receives a driver signal from thefeedback indication driver 5362 and in turn provides a visual display ofsignal strength, specifically displaying a representation of theconditioned power level signal generated by the processing subsystem534. If the visual indicator module 5364 is implemented in hardwarecomponents, then one configuration of the module may comprise a seriesof LEDs arranged in a bar graph fashion. Other visual configurations mayvary in number of lighting elements, element shape, color and visualarrangement. Visual components can be mounted or otherwise viewable onan exterior surface of the device housing.

The auditory indicator module 5366 receives a driver signal from thefeedback indication driver 5362 and in turn provides an auditoryrepresentation of the conditioned power level signal generated by theprocessing subsystem 534. Module may be implemented either inside thedevice, for instance as an amplifier-speaker pair, or via an external,connected mobile computing device, such as a portable tablet, computeror smartphone or any other external device or hardware with a speakerthat can be controlled by the driver signal from feedback indicationdriver 5362. Audio indication of antenna power level may take the formof a varying speaker frequency, varying audible beats per minute or anyother audio scheme intuitively understood by the manual operator 540. Ifauditory indicator module 5366, which provides feedback, is internal,then the module can be mounted such that the audio signal is audible andrecognizable unambiguously by the manual operator 540.

Electro-mechanical indicator module 5368 Receives driver signal from thefeedback indication driver 5362 and provides an electromechanicalresponse denotative of signal strength, specifically driven by thenormalized, inverted signal form the signal detect and processingsubsystem 534.

The electromechanical response may include actuators producing one ormore of vibrational, radial and translational movement. In oneconfiguration of the electro-mechanical indicator module 5368, themodule is implemented via the feedback indication driver 5362 drivingthe vibration element in an external third party portable computer whichis also implementing the visual indicator module 5364, and auditoryindicator module 5366. Where the electro-mechanical elements areinternal to the device, they should be mounted to housing of the devicesuch that element vibration is translated to vibration of entire deviceand recognized unambiguously by a manual operator 540.

FIG. 6 demonstrates the sequence of signals involved in a single cycleof the operator-antenna reorientation loop, involving the interactionbetween the signal measurement and feedback system, a manual operatorand the base station.

A directional antenna 632, as part of a power level control loop,transmits data at its current orientation 632′ to the base station 610.The base station 610 senses the level the amplitude of the incidentsignals must be reduced to and provides power level feedback 610′ backto the directional antenna 632. The directional antenna 632 imparts asignal constituting measured signal strength 632″ for the signaldetector and processor subsystem 634 to invert the incident signal 634′and then generate the linearized, normalized signal 634″ forinterpretation by the feedback indication subsystem 636.

The feedback indication subsystem 636, using internal drivers, maps thelinearized or normalized signal 634″ onto one or more visual, audio,electro-mechanical feedback indicators 636′ to alert a manual operator640 of the present suitability of the directional antenna's currentorientation. At this point, the manual operator 640 must at their owndiscretion judge whether the signal strength is deemed sufficient and ifnot, provide input 640′ to physically reposition the directional antennaorientation 640″ with an aim to improve the electro-mechanical feedbackindicators 636′ which indicate a power signal.

Next, at this new orientation, the directional antenna 632 transmitsdata at an updated current orientation 632′ to the base station 610,which, in turn, provides an updated power level feedback 610′ and so theoperator-antenna control loop repeats until the manual operator 640 issatisfied with the feedback received from the electro-mechanicalfeedback indicators 636′.

FIG. 7 details the auto-orientation scheme described in FIG. 1B ingreater detail considering each separate subsystem which comprises thesignal measurement and feedback system 730 when configured with anauto-orientation module 750 to actively, automatically evaluate andadjust external directional antenna orientation.

The base station 710 provides feedback on incident signal power level710′ to the signal measurement and feedback system 730.

A key aspect of the disclosed system is the directional antenna 732,which is electrically connected via signal line cord to mobile station720 as an external directional antenna. The directional antenna 732 maybe any type of directional antenna, comprising a signal line cordengaged with a radiating element which radiates or receives greaterpower in a specific, configurable direction allowing for increasedperformance and reduced interference from unwanted sources. Mechanicallythe radiating element is fixed to an articulated joint able to moveradially through one or more degrees of freedom. The other end of theantenna is able to move with freedom to point in any directionarticulated joint and mechanical constraints permit. The directionalantenna 732 therefore functions as the antenna of the mobile station720, transmitting and receiving data signals to and from the basestation to mobile station 732′ and receiving updated incident signalpower level 710′ feedback from mobile station 720 as part of a powercontrol loop.

The signal from the directional antenna 732 is detected and processed bythe signal detector and processor subsystem 734. In one configuration,power signal is detected by a directional coupler, which imparts asignal which can then be conditioned by way of inversion andnormalization, where required, into a form which can readily be used byauto-orientation module 750. One configuration implements the signalprocessing 734 functionality via a microcontroller having a set ofpredefined algorithms to implement each processing module.

A power supply 735 being either internal battery or lead from externallypower supply provides DC power into the signal detector and processorsubsystem 734.

Some configurations involving for instance automated antenna controlparticularly for control of a large directional antenna, may utilizemechanical assistance in providing additional turning force or accuracy,to physically reorient the directional antenna 732. If used, such areorientation mechanism 738 allows antenna actuators 754 to physicallydrive one or more degrees of freedom in the reorienting the externaldirectional antenna. The reorienting mechanism may comprise componentsincluding gears, levers, hydraulics, pneumatics or other assistivefacility for antenna actuators 754 reorient the directional antenna 732.

An auto-orientation module 750 can replace and automate the role of themanual operator, by mathematically translating the inverted, linearizedsignal 734′ it receives from the signal measurement and feedback system730 into a control scheme to drive antenna actuators 754 to reorient thedirectional antenna 732 and reposition the antenna.

The signal driver 752 implements an algorithm which maps the measuredlinearized signal 734′ from signal measurement and feedback system 730to an updated target orientation according to a pre-defined signalsearch pattern. Given the target orientation, the algorithm thengenerates time-variant driver signals to drive one or more antennaactuators 754 from current orientation to the target orientation. Oneimplementation of signal driver 752 is via a microcontroller mounted inauto-orientation module 750 and powered by power supply 756. The systemand algorithm can operate independent of the distance between the basestation and the mobile station. For example, the antenna can be rotatedin a full circle to determine which orientation has the best feedback.Thereafter the antenna is positioned at the location with the bestfeedback.

One or more antenna actuators 754 receive driver signals from the signaldriver 752 and impart movement either to directional antenna 732 or insome implementations, via a reorientation mechanism 738. In so doing,the antenna actuators are able to cause the orientation of thedirectional antenna 732 to physically realign from current to targetorientation, as required by signal driver 752. A power supply 756 suchas a battery or a lead from externally power supply provides DC powerinto signal driver 752 and antenna actuators 754.

FIG. 8 illustrates the sequence of signals involved in a single cycle ofthe automated antenna reorientation loop, involving the interactionbetween the signal measurement and feedback system 830, theauto-orientation module 850 and the base station 810. A directionalantenna 832, as part of a power level control loop, is configurable totransmit data at its current orientation 832′ to the base station 810.The base station 810 senses the level the amplitude of the incidentsignals must be reduced to and provides power level feedback 810′ backto the directional antenna 832. The directional antenna 832 imparts asignal constituting measured signal strength 832″ for the signal detectand process subsystem 834 to invert the incident signal 834′ and thengenerate the linearized, conditioned signal 834″ for interpretation bythe signal driver module 852. The signal driver module 852 implements apre-configured signal search algorithm and generates a new targetantenna orientation. A time-variant control signal 852′ is sent to theantenna actuators 854. Driven by this control signal, the antennaactuators 854 provide an instruction 854′ to physically reposition thedirectional antenna orientation from current position to the new targetantenna orientation.

Now at this new orientation, the directional antenna 832 transmits dataat the new orientation 832′ to the base station 810, which, in turn,provides an updated power level feedback 810′ and so the auto antennareorientation loop repeats. Automated antenna reorientation loop cancontinually reorient the antenna until the signal search algorithm insignal driver module 852 achieves a level of signal quality whichexceeds a predefined relative or absolute threshold.

A configuration exists where both manual and automatic reorientation ofthe directional antenna is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Mostsub-systems and modules can be similar to those in configurationsdisclosed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7. A base station 910 is in communicationvia the signal measurement and feedback system 930 with a mobile station920. The signal measurement and feedback system 930 includes an externaldirectional antenna 932, a reorienting mechanism 938, a signal detectand processing sub-system 934, a feedback indication sub-system 936, anda power supply 935. A key point of difference in this hybridconfiguration is that the normalized, conditioned signal output form thesignal detect and processing sub-system 934 feeds into both the feedbackindication sub-system 936 which in turn is relayed to the manualoperator 940, as well as also routing to the auto orientation module950. The auto orientation module 950 can include a signal driver 952,and antenna actuators 954. One configuration of this hybrid approach mayallow the manual operator 940 to control a switch between auto andmanual control.

In at least some configurations, the steering is on the order ofapproximately 10 times slower than the behavior of the control loop. Inpractice, a human or automatic steering method could take at least 2-5seconds for a complete rotation.

The systems and methods according to aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter may utilize a variety of computer and computing systems,communications devices, networks and/or digital/logic devices foroperation. Each may, in turn, be configurable to utilize a suitablecomputing device that can be manufactured with, loaded with and/or fetchfrom some storage device, and then execute, instructions that cause thecomputing device to perform a method according to aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

A computing device can include without limitation a mobile user devicesuch as a mobile phone, a smart phone and a cellular phone, a personaldigital assistant (“PDA”), such as an Android device, iPhone®, a tablet,a laptop and the like. In at least some configurations, a user canexecute a browser application over a network, such as the Internet, toview and interact with digital content, such as screen displays. Adisplay includes, for example, an interface that allows a visualpresentation of data from a computing device. Access could be over orpartially over other forms of computing and/or communications networks.A user may access a web browser, e.g., to provide access to applicationsand data and other content located on a website or a webpage of awebsite.

A suitable computing device may include a processor to perform logic andother computing operations, e.g., a stand-alone computer processing unit(“CPU”), or hard wired logic as in a microcontroller, or a combinationof both, and may execute instructions according to its operating systemand the instructions to perform the steps of the method, or elements ofthe process. The user's computing device may be part of a network ofcomputing devices and the methods of the disclosed subject matter may beperformed by different computing devices associated with the network,perhaps in different physical locations, cooperating or otherwiseinteracting to perform a disclosed method. For example, a user'sportable computing device may run an app alone or in conjunction with aremote computing device, such as a server on the Internet. For purposesof the present application, the term “computing device” includes any andall of the above discussed logic circuitry, communications devices anddigital processing capabilities or combinations of these.

Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be described forillustrative purposes as steps of a method that may be executed on acomputing device executing software, and illustrated, by way of exampleonly, as a block diagram of a process flow. Such may also be consideredas a software flow chart. Such block diagrams and like operationalillustrations of a method performed or the operation of a computingdevice and any combination of blocks in a block diagram, can illustrate,as examples, software program code/instructions that can be provided tothe computing device or at least abbreviated statements of thefunctionalities and operations performed by the computing device inexecuting the instructions. Some possible alternate implementation mayinvolve the function, functionalities and operations noted in the blocksof a block diagram occurring out of the order noted in the blockdiagram, including occurring simultaneously or nearly so, or in anotherorder or not occurring at all. Aspects of the disclosed subject mattermay be implemented in parallel or seriatim in hardware, firmware,software or any combination(s) of these, co-located or remotely located,at least in part, from each other, e.g., in arrays or networks ofcomputing devices, over interconnected networks, including the Internet,and the like.

The instructions may be stored on a suitable “machine readable medium”within a computing device or in communication with or otherwiseaccessible to the computing device. As used in the present application amachine readable medium is a tangible storage device and theinstructions are stored in a non-transitory way. At the same time,during operation, the instructions may at sometimes be transitory, e.g.,in transit from a remote storage device to a computing device over acommunication link. However, when the machine readable medium istangible and non-transitory, the instructions will be stored, for atleast some period of time, in a memory storage device, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a magnetic or optical discstorage device, or the like, arrays and/or combinations of which mayform a local cache memory, e.g., residing on a processor integratedcircuit, a local main memory, e.g., housed within an enclosure for aprocessor of a computing device, a local electronic or disc hard drive,a remote storage location connected to a local server or a remote serveraccess over a network, or the like. When so stored, the software willconstitute a “machine readable medium,” that is both tangible and storesthe instructions in a non-transitory form. At a minimum, therefore, themachine readable medium storing instructions for execution on anassociated computing device will be “tangible” and “non-transitory” atthe time of execution of instructions by a processor of a computingdevice and when the instructions are being stored for subsequent accessby a computing device.

Additionally, a communication system of the disclosure comprises: asensor as disclosed; a server computer system; a measurement module onthe server computer system for permitting the transmission of ameasurement from a detection device over a network; at least one of anAPI (application program interface) engine connected to at least one ofthe detection device to create a message about the measurement andtransmit the message over an API integrated network to a recipienthaving a predetermined recipient user name, an SMS (short messageservice) engine connected to at least one of the system for detectingphysiological parameters and the detection device to create an SMSmessage about the measurement and transmit the SMS message over anetwork to a recipient device having a predetermined measurementrecipient telephone number, and an email engine connected to at leastone of the detection device to create an email message about themeasurement and transmit the email message over the network to arecipient email having a predetermined recipient email address.Communications capabilities also include the capability to communicateand display relevant performance information to the user, and supportboth ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart wireless communications. A storing moduleon the server computer system for storing the measurement in a detectiondevice server database can also be provided. In some systemconfigurations, the detection device is connectable to the servercomputer system over at least one of a mobile phone network and anInternet network, and a browser on the measurement recipient electronicdevice is used to retrieve an interface on the server computer system.In still other configurations, the system further comprising: aninterface on the server computer system, the interface being retrievableby an application on the mobile device. Additionally, the servercomputer system can be configured such that it is connectable over acellular phone network to receive a response from the measurementrecipient mobile device. The system can further comprise: a downloadableapplication residing on the measurement recipient mobile device, thedownloadable application transmitting the response and a measurementrecipient phone number ID over the cellular phone network to the servercomputer system, the server computer system utilizing the measurementrecipient phone number ID to associate the response with the SMSmeasurement. Additionally, the system can be configured to comprise: atransmissions module that transmits the measurement over a network otherthan the cellular phone SMS network to a measurement recipient usercomputer system, in parallel with the measurement that is sent over thecellular phone SMS network.

EXAMPLE

A power level of 23 dBm at 787 MHz from a data router's transmission ofelectromagnetic energy is conducted from the data router to an attachedantenna according to the disclosure. The measurement circuit in theantenna measures that conducted power prior to it being radiated by theantenna element. Based on the measured power the antenna generates aninstruction to, for example, light a subset of a plurality of LEDs on avisual display. Thus, a power of 23 dBm might result in zero LEDs beingilluminated, while a power below 10 dBm could result in all of the LEDsbeing illuminated.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of LEDs(or actual feedback mechanism) can vary. The dynamic range of the powercontrol loop could go from 40 dBm to +33 dBm. For a given band (whichdetermines the maximum transmit power) a linear interpolation between ahigh power (max-6 dB) and a low end usable power (say 0 dBm) could beemployed. The exact power vs. feedback value relationship could beestablished empirically.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for improving signal quality, the systemcomprising: an antenna power level detector in communication with adirectional antenna, the antenna power level detector configured todetect a signal strength, wherein the detected signal strength iscorrelated to an orientation of the directional antenna at the time thesignal strength is detected; and a signal inverter configured togenerate a conditioned signal based at least in part on the detectedsignal strength, wherein the system is configured to communicate areorientation instruction for reorientation of the directional antennabased at least in part on the conditioned signal; wherein the system isconfigured to communicate the reorientation instruction to a user. 2.The system of claim 1, further comprising an automatic actuatorsubsystem configured to reorient the directional antenna in response tothe communicated reorientation instruction.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the automatic actuator subsystem comprises at least one driveactuator configured to reorient the directional antenna, and wherein thesystem is configured to control the automatic actuator subsystem using aclosed loop control system.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the systemis configured to communicate one or more reorientation instructionsuntil the detected signal strength reaches a threshold value.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to be connected to amobile computing device.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the antennapower level detector is configured to detect the signal strength using adirectional coupler.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna powerlevel detector is configured to detect the signal strength based onsignal power level feedback provided by a base station in communicationwith the directional antenna.
 8. A system for improving signal qualitywhen used in a cellular transmit power control loop controlled by acellular base station, the system comprising: an external directionalantenna connected to a desktop cellular router; an antenna power leveldetector in communication with the external directional antenna, theantenna power level detector configured to detect a signal strength,wherein the detected signal strength is correlated to an orientation ofthe external directional antenna at a time the signal strength isdetected; and a signal inverter configured to generate a conditionedsignal based at least in part on the detected signal strength, whereinthe system is configured to communicate a reorientation instruction to auser for reorientation of the external directional antenna based atleast in part on the conditioned signal.
 9. The system of claim 8,further comprising an automatic actuator subsystem configured toreorient the external directional antenna in response to thecommunicated reorientation instruction.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the automatic actuator subsystem comprises at least one driveactuator configured to reorient the external directional antenna, andwherein the system is configured to control the automatic actuatorsubsystem using a closed loop control system.
 11. The system of claim 8,wherein the system is configured to communicate one or morereorientation instructions until the detected signal strength reaches athreshold value.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the system isconfigured to be connected to a mobile computing device.
 13. A methodfor improving signal quality of a directional antenna when used in atransmit power control loop, the method comprising: detecting a signalstrength from a directional antenna, wherein the detected signalstrength is correlated to an orientation of the directional antenna atthe time the signal strength is detected; generating a conditionedsignal from the detected signal strength, generating a conditionedsignal comprising inverting the detected signal strength via a signalinverter; and communicating a reorientation decision for movement of thedirectional antenna based at least in part on the conditioned signal andinstructing a user to move the directional antenna.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising automatically reorienting the directionalantenna via an actuator subsystem.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe steps of detecting, generating, and communicating are repeated untilthe detected signal strength reaches a threshold value.
 16. The methodof claim 13, further comprising connecting the directional antenna to amobile computing device.